Empty city = fear

Rating: 9/10 (14 November 2006)

28 Days Later is a film about zombies causing havoc in London, which falls into the Gothic Horror genre. The highlight of the film is seeing the deserted capital city. This works so well because it shows well known landmarks in London such as Piccadilly Circus, Westminster and Centre point absolutely empty apart from one lead character. It is strengthened by evidence of mayhem in the wake of a virus ridden city with money on the floor, buses on there sides, crashed cars and ones left open in the middle of the road and canned drinks and litter everywhere. These scenes contrast the safe, every day hustle and bustle of the city centre so well and anchor the viewer into the film in amazement ready for the beginning of the real horror. Another personal favourite scene is on the motorway going north on completely empty roads in a taxi. This again contrasts Britain's packed motorways but allows the camera to go much, much wider and show miles on empty roads and a blazing city on the horizon. This like the first scenes of the empty city draw in the viewer before more shocking scenes of horror.